Fun Valentine's Day Ideas for Parents and Families in Sydney

Valentine’s Day can be an exhausting day for parents trying to figure out how to spend a love-filled day that will mark the occasion but also keep kids happy and not break the bank. We’ve come up with some quirky, easy and fun ideas for a family-friendly Valentine's Day that will satisfy everyone.

Lucky enough to have yourself a babysitter on hand? We’ve also got some unique experiences that will ensure this year’s Valentine’s Day is different from the rest. Date nights may only come around once a year, so make this one count! Who says romance is dead? 

Valentine's Day With Kids

1. Valentine’s Picnic

Picnics are always a great way to spend the day, and the kids can run around while you get a few minutes of relaxation in one of Sydney’s stunning parks. Here's a list of the best parks across Sydney’s suburbs that are the perfect inspiration for a Valentine’s Day Picnic.

2. Family Valentine's Movie Night

If you’re in the mood to relax and lounge around the house with a nice cuppa, then we’ve got a list of movies that the kids can watch with you! Grab some popcorn and a bag of Party Mix, and try one of these family favourites:

• Cinderella (or any of the live-action Disney films)
• Sound of Music
• The Greatest Showman
• Enchanted
• The Princess Bride
• Gnomeo and Juliet
• The Lorax

3. Valentine’s Day Crafts and Cakes

Get crafty! Crack open up some paint and have some messy fun making Valentine cards with red hearts, do hand butterflies or finger decorations. Kids can trace their hand, cut it out and write a simple I love you. Otherwise, you can dust off the cookbook and make some delicious meals and sweets. Try heart-shaped cakes, cookies or cupcakes with heart decorations, heart pancakes or cut out fruit with cookie cutters to get healthy heart-shaped morsels.

4. Treat The Kids To A Special High Tea

Do something ultra sweet with the kids this year, and there's nothing more special than a delicious afternoon tea at a hotel.

The Langham, Sydney is also doing something unique to spread the love this year. They're partnering with Pink Hope to bring you an exquisite all-pink inspired Afternoon Tea menu, where $5 from every experience is donated to Pink Hope. Pink Hope is a breast and ovarian preventative health hub, working to ensure every individual can assess, manage and reduce their risk of breast and ovarian cancer while providing personalised support to at-risk women. The perfect excuse to help those in need whilst also enjoying a fun, luxurious high tea experience with kids! 

5. Deco Park Picnic at Sydney Olympic Park

Sydney Olympic Park’s Deco Park Picnic is a chance to gather your friends, dress in your Sunday best and enjoy a long lunch on the lawn. This picnic event will feature installations, themed hosts, visual performers, kids games, immersive theatre and roving live music. Guests will delight in curious vintage characters, live jazz and shared glamorous nostalgia! The event is FREE and takes place at Cathy Freeman Park on V-day itself! 

6. Nothing Says I Love You Like Chocolate

Treat your little sweethearts to some handcrafted chocolate creations this Valentine's Day. The exclusive collection from Koko Black includes three gift boxes of their most-loved white, milk and dark chocolate pralines, a deluxe Champagne and Truffle Hamper full of the best sweet treats and bubbles and a range of super cute Heart Pops in white, milk and dark chocolate.

7. 2-For-1 Burgers at Grill'd

Healthy Burger pioneers, Grill'd, are doubling the love this Valentine's Day when you dine-in with a date at any of their restaurants. Just sign up to Grill’d’s free Relish loyalty program to redeem the offer, and chow down on a 100% natural burger to celebrate Valentine's Day. Valid at all Grill'd restaurants.

8. Love & Lounge At Darling Quarter

Darling Quarter is always a great day out and Valentine's Day will be no different! You can reserve a space at the North Village Greens for a picnic set to the sounds of live performance artists at one of two three-hour sessions. Love & Lounge will host performances from local music duos to set the scene for a romantic afternoon. Families can enjoy delicious food, great music and perhaps a few drinks – right in the heart of buzzing Darling Harbour.

Valentine’s Day Without The Kids

If you have had the babysitter booked since February 2020 then try one of these romantic ideas!

1. Outdoor Cinemas

If you can sneak out sans kids, then check out what's on at one of Sydney's Outdoor Cinemas. Some of the usual programs have been cancelled due to COVID-19, however, Moonlight Cinemas at Centennial Park is going ahead and - spoiler alert - they're playing The Notebook this V-day. If you're a bird, I'm a bird! You could also hire a rowboat for Darling Harbour's Mov'In Boat Floating Outdoor Cinema - they are also showing The Notebook on the big day! Westpac Open Air Cinema at Mrs Maquaries Point is probably the most romantic spot with stunning views over the harbour and a screening of the new release romance Wild Mountain Thyme. You can also catch this flick at North Sydney Oval's Sunset Cinema on Valentine's Day. If you're in Western Sydney, cuddle up in the car and catch the double-header of Love, Weddings & Other Disasters & Synchronic at Skyline Drive-In Cinema Blacktown.

2. French Fare at Felix

Tucked away in Ash Street in Sydney’s CBD, Felix has a special Valentine's Day dinner menu for $150pp, that head chef Mike Flood has created for the loved-up occasion. Following a glass of champagne on arrival, the produce-driven three-course banquet includes cold smoked king salmon, dill crème & capers with rye toast and terrine of foie gras, pork, pistachio $seeded mustard with grilled sourdough to start, followed by Confit Duck leg, with pomme sarladaise, radicchio & almonds and Grass-fed Filet Mignon with confit field mushroom & truffle butter. Finish it off with profiteroles with hot chocolate sauce or a vanilla creme brulee to share with your hot date. That's Amore!

3. Valentine's Day Cocktails

If you feel like having Valentine's Day in (sans kids of course!) then crank the elegance up a notch and make some Valentine's Day cocktails compliments of The Botanist Gin. Their Mozart Strawberry Gin Kiss is every bit as delicious as it sounds, and we've got the recipe for you! 

Mozart Strawberry Gin Kiss

Ingredients

• 30mL Mozart White Chocolate Strawberry Cream
• 30mL The Botanist Gin
• 15mL Lemon Juice
• 10mL Sugar syrup
• 1 egg white
• Top with soda

Method: Add Mozart strawberry, Botanist Gin, lemon juice, sugar syrup & egg white & ice to a shaker and shake well. Strain the ingredients into a tall glass without ice. Top with soda & garnish with a fresh strawberry. Watch the video recipe.

Bartender’s Tip: For a sweeter version, top with lemonade and add ice cream. Or for a delicious dessert, pour Mozart straight over ice-cream.

4. Chi by Lotus at Barangaroo

Barangaroo's new little dumpling on the block, Chi by Lotus has you covered for a delicious lunch or dinner this Valentine's Day. With a $99 set menu designed exclusively for the evening of 14 February, loved up couples (or hungry singles) will enjoy a welcome cocktail, their stunning steamed scallops with garlic, chilli and seablite, jade prawn dumplings, yuzu cheesecake and so much more. The restaurant boasts beautiful water views looking out over the sunset across Barangaroo, which means it's sure to deliver on romance.

5. Swissôtel Sydney

The luxurious five-star Swissôtel Sydney is hosting a special Valentine’s Day experience at their Jpb restaurant on Saturday 13th February. Indulge your senses in an evening of romantic surrounds filled with heart and unforgettable Swiss hospitality. Featuring a 2- and 3-course menu option, you and your loved one will enjoy a locally-sourced gourmet menu prepared with the freshest seasonal ingredients. Even better? A complimentary Valentine’s Day cocktail on arrival is included. Cheers!

6. Madame Shanghai

Looking for somewhere to settle in for a leisurely long lunch without the little ones this Valentine's Day? Madame Shanghai is the perfect spot—as they're offering a luxurious $118 Valentine's Day themed menu will include a rose mojito, crispy skin duck pancakes, steamed barramundi fillet with black bean, lemon and chilli oil plus a whole lot more! And if you've still got room (separate stomach and all) there's a decadent serving of chocolate-dipped strawberries to finish! 

7. Valentine's Day At The Grounds Of The City

Keep it classy this Valentine's Day with an evening of old-school charm and romance at The Grounds of The City! Spoil your sweetheart with an indulgent, three-course Valentine's Day feast at The Grounds of The City, specially designed by Executive Chef Paul McGrath.

8. Sydney SEA LIFE Aquarium Valentine’s Day Dinner

Impress your Valentine this year with a truly unique experience; enjoy a romantic night of underwater enchantment at SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium. The dinner will be a truly memorable after-hours experience; an evening of great food, delicious drinks, romantic music and the unique chance to experience the aquarium in a whole new light. It's a date with a difference and guaranteed to impress your loved one!

9. Dinner By The Water At Kingsleys Woolloomooloo

Perched in a beautiful location on the iconic Woolloomooloo Finger Wharf, the much-loved Sydney steakhouse Kingleys offers a premium, classic Australian dining experience with breathtaking harbour and city views. Share the romance with their al la carte menu followed by a special Valentine's dessert: a hazelnut chocolate love heart with a strawberry tuile, chocolate crumble and caramel mousse! 

10. Lotus Double Bay

Located in the InterContinental Hotel in Double Bay, the newly opened Lotus Double Bay offers a beautiful setting for a romantic night out. With plush red booths and a $99 set dinner menu that comes complete with a glass of bubbles or cocktail on arrival and menu highlights such as Pacific oysters with finger lime and lime sorbet (Lotus' Shanghainese take on a classic aphrodisiac, you're welcome!), an assortment of dumplings and a decadent dark chocolate brownie with strawberry ice-cream to finish, you'll be hard-pressed to find a more intimate restaurant experience than Lotus this V-day! 

More Love-Filled Ideas In Sydney

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